#11 | when we pause to reflect… p.s. Merry Christmas 🎄
About 2023 and expectations for the New Year.
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Hi,
I'll start this newsletter with an apology.
I disappeared for a month, putting "write the newsletter" at the bottom of my list, and, as you know, the lists never really ended, so I never got to the newsletter.
But I didn't want to close out this year without stopping by here.
Even though I haven't written, I've thought a lot about it. I missed writing. But I have to accept that I still struggle when everything gets hectic; it's not the newsletter that's at the bottom of the list, it's me. My time to write, to live. I even wrote some things in my little notebook, I remember especially writing several pages on my birthday. Something about how these special dates are reminders, always helping us remember ourselves, who we are, what we like, love.
But this year has been a bit strange, and despite the days I remember, I'm just a bit tired. Yes, tired is how I feel at the end of this year. I was even talking about it with my sister, how 2023 was a bit of a strange and tiring year. Not bad, I wouldn't say that, but tiring, strange, out of the ordinary, and a bit more challenging than usual to find inspiration, time, and energy.
This doesn't mean all of that wasn't there. It was, and many good things happened.
But I don't know, it was strange. Or at least, I'm ending it with that feeling.
For example, my birthday. Usually, it's the week I get the most excited, I call it "my week," I do a bunch of things, watch my favourite movies, but this year I kept putting off thinking about it, and when I realised, the day came, but it felt like an ordinary day. I made an effort to feel the excitement and planned something with my friends, which was great, but I don't know, it didn't have the usual birthday hype.
And in that same vibe, here I am on Christmas Eve. What did I do today? I worked because I'm going to spend a few weeks in Brazil and just want to disconnect, so my week had 7 days of work to do everything ahead, from Monday until today, but the list, that list, still isn't finished.
But I decided to put myself first, to put this newsletter first, at least this, just like my birthday, the thing is to try and prioritise, even if sometimes the desire is just to let it go.
And actually, that's okay too. Sometimes, we're just not in the mood, tired, and letting things go is necessary, but I don't know. Some things hurt when they pass, so for them, we make an effort.
In this lingering spirit of the birthday and for Christmas and the end of the year, I promise I'll try. And I'll be grateful, grateful for everything that happened, even in this strange year.
Yes, even though I don't feel it most days, I know I'm grateful.
Grateful for the achievements of this year, for the good moments, for the lessons, for the connections.
Grateful for the book I wrote, for the friendships formed and strengthened, for the health of those I love, for being able to travel to Brazil to see my family and friends and introduce everyone to my boyfriend for the first time.
Happy that tomorrow is Christmas, and I finally managed to wrap all the presents and put them under the tree, happy for enduring the pains of this year, for having the strength to find inspiration, to enjoy the moments when I got excited and survive the moments when I just wanted everything to stop.
For the next year, I want to be healthy. I got sick these days in the middle of this intense month, and it was an experience... So, I want to get better and take better care of myself. I know it's a standard goal, but it's a necessary reminder.
I want to have more patience and awaken the courage that used to live strong within me. I want to improve how I use my time, so that the "me" on my lists becomes a possible part, not just items to fit in when there's spare time.
And I want to grow, learn, live, smile, cry if necessary, to be able to live each moment more intensely. And I think for that, I'll need to continue making space.
I want to write a new book, add more products to my little shop, take it to another level. Continue working with amazing clients, have more experiences, travel more, move to a new home. Keep up with the newsletter and find my rhythm on social media.
And if I can't do all of this, I want to be okay with it and enjoy each step. Because life isn't a checklist; we use the list not to forget the things we want to remember. But today, I just wish for life to happen a lot.
And I hope life happens a lot for you too. Thank you, truly, for being with me on this journey, I appreciate it so much. May our 2024 be full of life and inspiration!
Merry Christmas and an incredible New Year,
Thank you.
For inspiration! Things I've come across...
→ I'm stuck in the frog world, this is the vibe I want for my life
→ A reminder for the end of the year (in portuguese)
→ This video by Ali to make 2024 the best year of your life
In this Christmas newsletter, we won't have the other sections /: but hang on, next year I want to continue here and bring even more things to you. Thanks for understanding!
Until next time,
With love,
Amanda Oliveira-Telò
My book (: • Instagram • TikTok • Etsy